The Perfect Dream

The Perfect Dream

I met Matthew Prince for the first time when we started kindergarten. He was so sweet and shared an orange with me. We were both inseparable all through elementary and junior high school. When we started going to senior high school, I started developing special feelings for Matthew. I didn't want to wreck our friendship by asking him if he wanted to go steady with me. One Friday afternoon, we were all outside putting the last finishing touches on the floats for the homecoming parade. I caught Matthew staring at me from the corner of my eye. I looked at him and waved. He took my hand and led me to the fence near the football field.

“Macy,” said Matthew. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

I couldn't believe what he had asked me. I just stood there in silence for a minute just starring into his deep brown eyes.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” asked Matthew.

“I'm sorry,” I said. “Yes, of course I will.”

We both hugged and he gave me the sweetest kiss that I had ever gotten right on my lips. I couldn't wait to tell my girlfriends that we were going together. They were all happy for us except Pamela. I think that she secretly had a crush on Matthew and she couldn't bring herself to really be happy for us. He gave me football jersey to wear during the pep rally's and football games at Rockefeller High School. We went to our senior prom on April 17, 1998. Matthew's father Mr. Prince rented a limousine for us to ride in for prom night. My mom took about a million pictures of us before we left home that night. After the prom, Matthew cousin Eddie rented a room for us to spend time together before we went home. I ended up getting pregnant with our son Matthew Jr on prom night. After graduation, Matthew propose to me. We got married the following year in July. Matthew always talked about going to the military after he graduated. I tried to talk him out of it but he was set on going. Our little Matthew was six months old when he left us going to basic training that Autumn. I cried for about a week after he left. I began working a the restaurant that his mother owned called: Soul Delicious as a waitress. My mother kept little Matt while I was at work. About a month into me working at the restaurant, I got sick. I thought that maybe I had contracted a stomach virus because I felt nauseated and had a bad upset stomach. After going to see my doctor, I found out that I was pregnant with our second child. I couldn't wait to write to tell my husband about our blessed event. Matthew was so happy after he got the news. I continued to work at the restaurant until my seventh month. My feet were swelling so bad from being pregnant and on my feet. My obstetrician Dr. Ryan told me that she though it was best for me to take it easy the last few months of my pregnancy. On July 20, 2001, Matthew graduated from the naval academy. We moved out of our rental and onto the naval base that Fall. Our second child Ava had turned one year old and Matthew Jr was five. I made friends with several of the other military wives. The first year away from home, I gad culture shock so bad. It was good to talk to my mom and mother in law on a daily basis. It made me feel a little closer to home talking to them. During Christmas break, we went back home to Riley. There was no place like being home for the Christmas holidays with family. We spent Christmas day with Matthew's parent and Christmas eve with my parents. The next morning, Matthew went to his parents house to hang out with his brothers to watch the football game. Matthew older brother Tim wanted to go to the store to get some more beer. On the way back home, a drunk driver driving on the wrong side of the road hit Tim's jeep head on. I can remember it like it was yesterday, getting the call about my husbands passing. Matthew was killed instantly and Tim suffered a broken hip and had a few broken ribs. The drunk driver only got a few bruises and was arrested that night. I couldn't sleep that night when it happened. The children were so young they couldn't understand what had happened to their father. I slept in the same room with the kids that night. Looking into their innocent faces, I began crying all over again. Matthew's death was so senseless. How could some idiot get behind the wheel being that drunk?. I sat in a rocking chair inside the room with my feet drawn up like a baby. I saw my mother in law Ann peep inside the room but she said nothing closing the door slowly. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. The sun was shiny brightly this morning. The children running around the house playing. Matthew had came down stairs looking all handsome dressed in blue jeans and a champion t shirt. I had on my floral summer dress that had a bow tied in the back. I was packing a picnic lunch for us to go to the park. Our dog Lucky was chasing a ball inside the house. Matthew grabbed the picnic basket and I gathered up the kids, dog and locked the front door. Off we went to enjoy a day at the park. Matthew laid a table cloth over the picnic table and put the basket of food on top. I took out all the food and set the table. The children ran to play on the swings and Lucky followed close behind. Matthew took my hand and pulled me close to him. I put my arms around his waist and starred loving into his deep brown eyes.

“I'll always love you Macy,” said Matthew.

“I'll always love you too,” I said.

He pulled closer to kiss me on the lips and I closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw a light behind him that glowed brightly. This light shown so brightly that I could barely see the shape of his face clearly.

“Matthew,” I said.

I open my eyes to see both my children standing in front of me. It was only a beautiful dream.

“Mommy,” said Matt Jr. “ We're hungry.

“Okay,” I said. “Let's go down stairs for breakfast.”

Some how I felt a little more at peace this morning. The dream about Matthew put my mind at ease. It was like him telling me everything was okay and we will be okay. Ann had made a tasty breakfast for us. There was bacon, eggs, sausages, waffles and fresh fruit set out on the kitchen table. My father law Joe had already fixed the children plates.

“How are you feeling,” asked Joe.

“I'm feeling okay,” I said.

We buried Matthew on a Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining so bright that day. Matthew was loved by so many people. He was given a military style funeral and I was given his flag. I held it close to my heart. After the burial, the kids and I moved back home to Riley. Every night I went to sleep I prayed that I would have that same dream again about Matthew. It was the perfect dream and felt so real at the time. I never dreamed of him again. He'll always hold a special place in all or hearts. The memories the we shared will always remain with me and our love will last forever.